My Vanagon starts when it is cold, however occasionally when I am driving the motor will stop. pull over and try to restart it. It turns over very well but will not ignite.

I forget, do the 85s still have a condenser? If so, you may need a new one. While at it, check rotor, points and distributor cap. After that, the ignition coil may be at fault. My 85 was the best vanagon I ever had.

ok- those who know me already know what I'm gonna say- WHY a Vanagon?! And I say this from a mechanic's point of view- really complicated, overly engineered machines- a million things to go wrong- over the years, people found out the hard way- even now, in the 21st century, my mechanic friend and I, when driven' around point at Vanagons and say: "Look! A Vanagon that runs!!" this doesn't happen too often- if you are rich, find a really good mechanic who can deal with that beast-